Easter Evening

6Verse 6. On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine. 7Verse 7. On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8Verse 8. He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. 9Verse 9. And in that day it will be said, “Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”

6Verse 6. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? 7Verse 7. Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Verse 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.

13Verse 13. That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14Verse 14. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15Verse 15. And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. 16Verse 16. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 17Verse 17. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. 18Verse 18. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?” 19Verse 19. “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. 20Verse 20. Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him. 21Verse 21. But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place. 22Verse 22. Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23Verse 23. but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. 24Verse 24. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.” 25Verse 25. Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Verse 26. Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” 27Verse 27. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself. 28Verse 28. As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. 29Verse 29. But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30Verse 30. While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Verse 31. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus — and He disappeared from their sight. 32Verse 32. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33Verse 33. And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, gathered together 34Verse 34. and saying, “The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon!” 35Verse 35. Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. 36Verse 36. While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 37Verse 37. But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit. 38Verse 38. “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Verse 39. Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see — for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40Verse 40. And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. 41Verse 41. While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42Verse 42. So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43Verse 43. and He took it and ate it in front of them. 44Verse 44. Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45Verse 45. Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46Verse 46. And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47Verse 47. and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 48Verse 48. You are witnesses of these things. 49Verse 49. And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”